Praying For Peace

Almighty God, we pray for the situation on the border of Ukraine.

We pray for those who live in fear, that you may grant them peace.

We pray that the voices for discernment and peaceful solutions may prosper.

Lord we ask that you raise up peace makers on all sides, that war and violence might be averted.

Give diplomats wisdom, understanding and build trust.

We ask for the Church in the nations involved, may they be salt and light in a dark situation.

Lord we lift this dangerous situation to you.

May your Kingdom come,

Amen.

Coronavirus

Thankfully now almost into Spring 2024, we are over the worst of Coronavirus but we still need to be aware of the virus. If you display any signs of illness please stay at home and keep warm and seek advice from your pharmacist or GP.

Bishop of Clogher, John McDowell, elected Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland

bishop john mcdowell

The next Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland will be Bishop John McDowell, who currently serves as Bishop of Clogher. The Archbishop-elect was chosen by the Church of Ireland’s House of Bishops to succeed Archbishop Richard Clarke, who retired on 2 February. The translation will take effect on Tuesday 28 April; but the date of his enthronement has not yet been announced. Bishop John will become the 106th in the succession of abbots, bishops and archbishops of Armagh since Saint Patrick. The Church of Ireland is an all-island institution, serving dioceses in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Bishop John grew up in Belfast and pursued a career in business prior to training for ordination. He was ordained in 1996 and initially served as Curate of Antrim from 1996 before becoming Rector of Ballyrashane in 1999. Both parishes are in the Diocese of Connor. In 2002 he moved to the Diocese of Down and Dromore to become Rector of St Mark’s, Dundela. While here he also served as Honorary Secretary of the Province’s General Synod and became the Church of Ireland’s contact person for the Porvoo Communion – an ecumenical partnership of Anglican and Lutheran Churches in Europe which share a common life in mission and service. He is Chairman of the Church of Ireland’s Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue.

In September 2001 he became Bishop of Clogher, and was consecrated in St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen.

“I am overwhelmed by the confidence which my fellow bishops have placed in me to fill this ancient office”, Bishop John said following his election. “I look forward to working with them in the time to come and to serving the people of the Diocese of Armagh and the Church of Ireland in whatever way I can.”

The Church of Ireland has two internal provinces. The Archbishop of Dublin, Michael Jackson, is the Primate of Ireland. The Primate of All Ireland is a title held by the Archbishop of Armagh. [Church of Ireland Press Office]

Archdeacon murdered as Christians killed and kidnapped in multiple attacks in Africa and Asia

Police officers from Senegal, Ukraine, Switzerland, Nepal, Cameroon, Nigeria, India and Niger are working as UN peacekeepers in North Kivu with the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). [Photo: Kevin Jordan]

[ACNS, by Staff Writer] A spate of violence against Christians has included the murder of the Archdeacon of Eringeti, Ngulongo Year Batsemire, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who was killed for refusing to denounce his faith. According to a Barnabas Fund report, he was walking to his fields with his wife when they were surrounded by members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) who demanded he convert to Islam. When he refused, they killed him.

He was one of 36 Christians murdered by insurgents on 29 January in North Kivu region. In three days of terror beginning on 7 February, another 30 Christians were killed in attacks in Toko-Toko and Makeke villages.

In western Burkina Faso, gunmen have attacked a church in Pansi, in the Yagha region, according to the international news agency Reuters. The regional governor, Colonel Salfo Kabore, said that 24 people, including the priest, were killed in the attack on Sunday 16 February. It is the second attack on Christians in the country this month. On 10 February, seven people were seized by suspected jihadists who raided the home of a pastor. Five bodies, including that of the pastor, were found three days later.

The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, condemned the attack, saying: “These acts of violence are attacks on our one human family and we must continue to work together for justice and peace.”

On 20 February, Leah’s mother Rebecca Sharibu marked the second anniversary of her kidnapping with a visit to London to raise awareness of Leah’s kidnapping and to appeal to the British government to help. Later, she met the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and attended a Eucharist in the Lambeth Palace chapel. “We were honoured to share the Eucharist with Rebecca Sharibu today”, Archbishop Welby said on Twitter. “A woman of profound courage and faith. . . We pray for you, and for Leah to be released free from harm.”

In Bangladesh, the NGO Human Rights Watch says that at least 22 Christian Rohingya familes were attacked late January at the Cox’s Bazar refugee camp. A pastor and his 14-year-old daughter were kidnapped in the attack.

In Nigeria, the funeral has taken place of 18-year-old Nnadi Michael, who was murdered after being kidnapped from the Good Shepherd Seminary in Kaduna last month. Michael was amongst three seminarians kidnapped on 8 January. His body was found on 31 January alongside the body of Bola Ataga, who was kidnapped with her two children on 24 January.

“For us Christians, this death is a metaphor for the fate of all Christians in Nigeria, but especially northern Nigeria”, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, said. “For us Christians, it would seem safe to say that we are all marked men and women today.”

Two years ago, a Boko Haram faction, Islamic State West African Province, kidnapped 110 girls from their school in Dapchi, Yobe state. Most were released a month later following government negotiations, but the sole Christian amongst them, Leah Sharibu, was denied release because she refused to renounce her faith.

New Bishop of Down and Dromore - 9th February Installation invitation

The Rt Revd David McClay (pictured) has become the new Bishop of Down and Dromore following his ordination in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, on Saturday 25th January.

Bishop McClay was ordained by the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, before a cathedral filled to capacity. Family, representatives from the parishes of the diocese, friends and colleagues had made the journey from all over Ireland, England and the United States. The new Bishop was welcomed to loud applause.

The Dean of Connor, The Very Revd Sam Wright, gave the address. He and Bishop McClay began theological college together 35 years ago and quickly became friends. Dean Wright paid tribute to Bishop McClay’s parents, Roly and Kathleen, whom he has known for many years and who had “modelled the Christian life and upheld their son in prayer every step of the way.”

At a reception which followed in Ulster University’s Birley Building, Bishop McClay expressed his thanks to all those who had taken part in the service; to his parents and family and to the many people who had travelled a distance to be there. Bishop McClay made special mention of his training rector, the late Roland Hutchinson.

Bishop McClay will be Installed in Dromore Cathedral on Sunday 9th February at 3.30pm. All Newcastle parishioners are invited. (RSVP by Tuesday 4th February to dromorecathedral@outlook.com)

Anglican Primates meet with King Abdullah II and Heads of Churches in Jordan

Photo: Petra

Primates from around the Anglican Communion this month began a week-long meeting with an official audience with King Abdullah II, the King of Jordan. The audience took place at a conference centre near the site of Jesus’ baptism, and was followed by a wider gathering featuring the Heads of Churches and other Christian leaders.

King Abdullah was accompanied by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, the Senior Adviser to the King for Religious and Cultural Affairs. He told the Anglican leaders that Jordan is committed to its historical and religious role in protecting Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem in its role as guardian of the holy sites.

The King said it was important to confront any attempts that would change the historical and legal situation in the Holy City of Jerusalem, and said that Jordan would continue to promote the values ​​of dialogue, tolerance and brotherhood between religions. Christians, he said, are an inherent component and an integral part of the fabric of the region.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said it was “a great honour” to be received in audience by King Abdullah. He explained that the Primates had been discussing the forthcoming Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops, and said: “We are looking at issues of climate change, very relevant here in the Jordan valley and around the shrinking Dead Sea. We are seeking to see how to support peace in this region, grateful for the examples of yourself and this Kingdom. We seek to raise the awareness of the issues of refugees and migrants globally, where Jordan sets an example to the world. We are especially concerned about the plight of Christians in this region and other numerous areas where they suffer. Jordan is a shining example of good practice, where Muslims and Christians practise their faith freely and without fear.”

The country of Jordan is part of the Anglican/Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem which, Archbishop Welby said, “under the leader of its Archbishop, His Grace Archbishop Suheil Dawani, is heavily involved in building peace, and in the long-term work of education and health. It has hospitals and clinics across the area, including in Gaza, and more than a dozen schools, including schools for the deaf, blind and those with special educational needs. This action on health and education is a best example, and typical of Anglican ministry in all its Provinces.” [ACNS, by Staff Writer, with additional material from Petra]

In letter to Australian churches, WCC prays for “respite from the heat and the flames”

Photo: Victoria Emergency Ministries/WCC

In a pastoral letter to Australian churches, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit has acknowledged that the catastrophic fires in many parts of Australia have darkened the horizon during a time when much of the world is celebrating.

“Together with you, WCC member churches around the world are praying for respite from the heat and the flames, for the protection and encouragement of all those fighting the advancing fires, for the preservation of peoples’ lives and properties, and of the unique wildlife and environment threatened with destruction,” the letter reads. “Together with you, we lament the unimaginable losses already suffered – of precious human lives, of homes and livelihoods, of so many animals and so much bushland and forest, and of so many affected communities’ sense of security.”

Dr Tveit offered prayers for all the victims, and for their families and communities, that they may be comforted in their loss and strengthened by the solidarity of so many people around the world. “We pray for the firefighting services and governmental authorities, that they may find the needed resources, strength and resolve to confront this crisis,” the letter reads. “And we pray for you, the churches and church leaders of Australia, as you seek to find the words and the means to provide support to those who need it, in a time of such deep bereavement and anxiety.”

Australia has, since time immemorial, been accustomed to fire and to drought, Dr Tveit noted. “However, the unprecedented scale and intensity of the current crisis will require, in due course, deep reflection on the factors leading to this exceptional disaster, accountability for those whose actions or inactions have imperilled so many people and contributed to the destruction of so much natural heritage, and measures to mitigate recurrence on such a scale and to adapt to a rapidly changing climate,” the letter reads. "The churches must play their role in this regard too.” [WCC News]

Royal guest joins Mission to Seafarers celebration service in Japan

HRH The Princess Royal at the Anglican church of Christ Church, Yamate [Photo: Mission to Seafarers]

[ACNS, by Rachel Farmer] The Princess Royal joined a maritime service to celebrate the ministry of Mission to Seafarers in Japan’s Yokohama port last week. The special service at the Anglican church of Christ Church, Yamate in Yokohama, marked almost 140 years of supporting seafarers in Japan.

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, who is the president of the mission, was joined by her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, along with other guests including diplomats and businessmen representing Japan’s shipping industry, who all attended the service and celebratory lunch. She was presented with an origami gift by children who attend Christ Church.

Chairman of Mission to Seafarers Japan, Chris Eve said: “The Mission to Seafarers has a proud tradition of supporting seafarers here in Japan since the 1880s, when a small centre was opened in the fast-growing port of Yokohama, initially as a refuge from alcohol but quickly widened its purpose to offer a welcome to all seafarers. Since those early days, the Mission has expanded its presence to Kobe and Tomakomai and today, all three locations offer a range of services for visiting seafarers, irrespective of nationality, race or creed.”

He said the mission offers welfare services, practical support and a warm welcome to all seafarers.

Secretary General of the Mission to Seafarers, Canon Andrew Wright, said the impact of the recent Typhoon Hagibis had been a reminder in Japan of the perils faced by all seafarers. He said: “We are very proud that the Mission to Seafarers Japan is part of our global family of welfare centres, chaplains, staff and volunteers in over 200 ports around the world. For well over a century, seafarers visiting Japan have benefited from their support and it is an honour to celebrate their contribution to the wellbeing of the men and women serving at sea.”

“We must learn from the past” says Archbishop of Canterbury at site of Indian massacre

Archbishop Justin Welby at the memorial for the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre [Photo: Lambeth Palace]

[ACNS, by Rachel Farmer] Learning from the past is essential to prevent further atrocities like the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, the Archbishop of Canterbury said, following his visit to the memorial site in India earlier this month.

Archbishop Justin Welby had been travelling around key sites in India for 10 days at the invitation of the Churches of North and South India.

He was pictured lying prostrate in front of the memorial commemorating 100 years since the tragedy, when thousands of unarmed Indians of many different faiths were shot by British troops in 1919.

He said: “Coming here arouses a sense of profound shame at what happened in this place. It is one of a number of deep stains on British history. The pain and grief that has transcended the generations since must never be dismissed or denied… We have a great responsibility to not just lament this horrific massacre, but most importantly to learn from it in a way that changes our actions … The past must be learned from so nothing like this ever happens again.”

The visit to the Massacre site in Amritsar came towards the end of his trip, which began in Kerala, where he prayed with Christians from the Church of South India.

Speaking after his visit to Kerala he said: “I’ve been praying with Indian Christians today. It’s an extraordinary reminder that every time this happens, that despite national differences, different languages, all sorts of differences of history and culture, that when we come to Jesus Christ we are united.”

The Archbishop, who was joined on the visit by his wife Caroline Welby, said the purpose of his visit was prayer, pilgrimage and pastoral concern and that he was visiting as a religious leader to pray with Christians, to learn about Christianity in India and to share their experiences. On his fourth day in the country he spent time with the Church of South India’s Sisters Order and Women’s Fellowship in Bengaluru and said he had been inspired by their devotion and their “vital work among poor, oppressed and marginalised women and children.”

The second half of the trip took the Archbishop to Kolkata where he was hosted by the Church of North India and welcomed by the Moderator of the Church of North India, Dr Prem Chand Singh and the Bishop of Kolkata, Paritosh Canning. Archbishop Justin said he had been moved and inspired to see how the Churches of South and North India were a powerful force for good in wider society.

At St Paul’s Cathedral in Kolkata, the Archbishop was taken to the cathedral’s Friendship Centre who reach out to those in need from any faith or background. He said the centre was another example of the Church of North India’s commitment to those suffering from trauma, grief or other struggles. “The centre offers that simple, precious and rare gift: a safe space to be listened to and prayed for,” he said. “The world needs more of these places.”

Churches key responders in battle against latest Ebola outbreak

Ebola Treatment Facility, Guinea (Photo: UN)

Anglican churches in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are playing a vital role, alongside healthcare agencies, in the fight against the world’s second largest outbreak of Ebola in the north east of the country.

The Archbishop of Congo, Masimango Katanda, said the Church was attempting to raise awareness of the reality of the virus and tackling misinformation. He said:“The main role of the Church at this time is to raise awareness… Ebola concerns everyone. We will encourage all church members to be informed and follow the advice so that they can take care of themselves. We will work with pastors, youth, school heads, Mothers’ Union and others – so that all can be involved together to eradicate this disease.” He also said churches in the affected areas have set up different points for hand-washing and temperature checks, and are also working alongside the humanitarian agencies involved in the crisis.

The outbreak in central Africa, which has been running for almost a year, has become the second most deadly killing more than 1,600 people in the north-east of the country.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern,” after the first confirmed case in Goma, a DRC city of nearly two million people on the country’s eastern border with Rwanda. This case has increased the risk of the virus spreading internationally.

The crisis in the DRC has been made more difficult due to an ongoing conflict in the region. [ACNS, Rachel Farmer]

Six Texan bishops lament “inhumane” conditions at US southern border

An immigrant family is detained by the US Customs and Border Protection officials after crossing into the United States and turning themselves in to request asylum in El Paso, Texas, as seen from Ciudad Juarez in Mexico on Tuesday 9 July. [Photo: Daniel Becerril/Reuters]

Bishops from the six dioceses of the US-based Episcopal Church in the State of Texas have issued a joint letter decrying “fear-based policy-making” on immigration. They say that people seeking asylum should be treated “humanely”. In their letter, the bishops call for “a humane and fair system for moving asylum seekers through the system as required by law.” The bishops’ dioceses cover almost one third of the 2,000 mile US-Mexico border. “All of Texas feels the impact of anything that happens on our southern border”, they said.

“We feel it through our families, many of whom have ancient deep roots in lands south of the United States. We feel it in our economy, as Mexico is Texas’ biggest trading partner. We feel it in our culture, since Texas was part of Mexico before we were part of the United States. Most of all, we feel it in our souls, for these are our neighbours, and we love them.”

They say: “We call on our state and national leaders to reject fear-based policy-making that targets people who are simply seeking safety, and a chance to live and work in peace. The situation at the border is, by all accounts, a crisis. Refugees come in desperation; border personnel are under stress.

“We call on our leaders to trust in the goodness, generosity and strength of our nation. God has blessed us with great abundance. With it comes the ability and responsibility to bless others.”

The letter, signed by Bishops George Sumner of Dallas; J Scott Mayer, Sam Hulsey and Rayford B High Junior of Fort Worth; J Scott Mayer of Northwest Texas; Michael Buerkel Hunn of Rio Grande; Andrew Doyle, Jeff W Fisher and Kathryn M Ryan of Texas; and David Reed and Jennifer Brooke-Davidson of West Texas, contains numerous calls on Scripture, including Matthew 18 2-6, on welcoming children in Jesus’ name, and Leviticus 19 33-34, on welcoming foreigners in your land.

“This is not a call for open borders”, the bishops said. “This is not saying that immigration isn’t complicated. This is a call for a humane and fair system for moving asylum seekers and refugees through the system as required by law. Seeking asylum is not illegal. Indeed, the people at our border are following the law when they present themselves to border authorities.” [ACNS]

WCC represented at German Kirchentag

Ecumenical studies in Bossey was one of the hot topics at the WCC booth in Kirchentag 2019. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC

Conversations at the World Council of Churches (WCC) exhibition booth at the 19-23 June German Kirchentag in Dortmund showed there is a growing interest in ecumenical movement among German churches.

“The presence of the World Council of Churches at the Kirchentag festival in Dortmund enabled many conversations with the German public on ecumenism and ecumenical initiatives in which German churches can be involved,” said Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication. “Among the most interesting topics were the Thursdays in Black campaign and ecumenical studies in Bossey”, she added.

Ms Ejdersten continued: “Our cooperation with the hosting Church of Westphalia contributed a lot to the visibility of Thursdays in Black in the German context, standing together for a world free of rape and violence.”

“Many students of theology and of other relevant disciplines stopped by and were highly interested and fascinated in the Bossey Ecumenical Institute study program and the possibilities of not only learning about world Christianity out of books but also by the daily personal encounters,” said Rev. Dr Benjamin Simon, Professor of Ecumenical Missiology at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland.

“Visitors of the Kirchentag are very much interested in concrete initiatives and enterprises - they want to have ideas and suggestions to take home and to implement,” he added. [WCC News]

Vital role for African church leaders in wiping out malaria

Bishops and spouses who participated in the CAPA orientation in Kenya

According to healthcare professionals, the Anglican Churches in Africa are a “unique, trusted network” with a vital and strategic role to play in the elimination of malaria across the continent.

Bishops representing six provinces of the Anglican Communion recently took part in an orientation for new bishops run by the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa (CAPA) in Kenya, where they were encouraged to play a strategic role in helping tackle malaria.

Founder of the J C Flowers Foundation and part of a cross-border malaria initiative, Chris Flowers, said: “I am delighted that these CAPA bishops have prioritised malaria, which still kills a child every two minutes. I visited a village in Zambia, and in this very remote place, the only organised institution was an Anglican Church. There was an expected, trusted pastor. These are essential.

“You can have fantastic science, you can have fantastic medicine, you can have nets delivered, but unless they are deployed correctly and people are trained on how to use them and to recognise when to go for treatment, it's all in vain. The church provides a unique, trusted network to get that last mile.”

CAPA’s orientation of new bishops and their spouses revolved around the theme “Transformational Leadership” and addressed topics including sustainable leadership in an ever-changing context, managing transitions, resource mobilisation, and malaria elimination.

Following training from the J C Flowers Foundation in malaria transmission and strategies for prevention, treatment and community mobilisation, Bishop Moses Deng Bol from the Diocese of Wau, said: “In South Sudan, if you want to share any information with a big number of the population, use the church. Few people have radios because people need food more than a radio. Who interacts with the most people on a weekly basis? It’s not the chief. It’s the pastor. Maybe through media the President of the country can reach people, but it’s the pastors who reach the most people.”

The bishops recognised the opportunity that they have as trusted leaders, working in areas with significant malaria burdens. Bishop Vicente Msosa from the Diocese of Niassa, Mozambique, said: “The fact that our communities still have malaria means that we as faith leaders have failed. We didn’t realise malaria elimination was possible. But we can mobilise communities to eliminate malaria, and that is our task. We can do it, and we must do it.”

The orientation included bishops from six Anglican Provinces within the Anglican Communion: the Indian Ocean, Central Africa, Tanzania, Southern Africa, South Sudan and Kenya.

The General Secretary of CAPA, Canon Grace Kaiso, challenged the bishops to take forward what they had learned. He said: “As a church, we are concerned about issues that affect the quality of life of people in our communities. I’m looking forward to hearing which of you begins putting a malaria-free diocese on your agenda.”

The bishops were encouraged to set an example for clergy in their dioceses to follow by working on malaria elimination with the ministries of health in their countries. [ACNS, by Rachel Farmer]

General Synod 2019 proceedings

The annual Church of Ireland General Synod was held from 16th – 18th May. Reports of the three-day meeting can be found as follows:

DAY 1 https://www.ireland.anglican.org/synod/2019/news/day-1

DAY 2 https://www.ireland.anglican.org/synod/2019/news/day-2

DAY 3 https://www.ireland.anglican.org/synod/2019/news/day-3

'Human peace chain' reflects the wish of the people on Korean Peninsula and receives religious support

People joining hands in a form of ‘human peace chain’ along the 500 km long Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea. (Photo: John C Park/DMZ)

Some 500,000 people have joined hands to form a “human peace chain” along the 500 km long Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea. They expressed their strong desire for permanent peace in the Korean Peninsula, gathering to celebrate the first anniversary of Panmunjom Declaration and commemorate the centennial of the 1 March Independence Movement.

Rev. Sang Chang, World Council of Churches (WCC) Asia president, urged WCC member churches and all people of good will to continue to express their solidarity with Korean people. “The WCC will continue to work with the Korean people for the permanent peace on the Korean peninsula,” Chang said on the day the chain was formed.

In a message, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit said the WCC endorsed a worldwide call for the reunification of Korea. “As a Christian fellowship, the WCC will continue to stand with our brothers and sisters in Korea and invite all Christians to pray for the Korean peninsula and that God’s will, for justice and peace, be done,” Tveit wrote.

Human peace chain participants, in a call to action issued on 27 April, said the wish of the people has been expressed. “With just one heart, we took our neighbors' hands, looking for the day when we will hold our hands of North and South from Halla to Baekdu,” they wrote. “Through 70 years of separation, we learned that peace is the responsibility of our people.”

In a message released last month, the National Council of Churches in Korea reflected that the Korean people have lived a history of suffering. “We cannot go back to the old days when conflict and antagonism dominated,” the message reads. “This is because peace on the Korean Peninsula is an irreversible national historical imperative and an historical task for the world.”

All people are passing through this important historical moment, the council message reflects. “True peace will not come from any of the great powers surrounding the Korean Peninsula, but we believe that our salvation, God, will listen to our prayers and make a new history of peace through us,” reads the text. “Let us, the children of God, reach out with the hand of peace first.” [WCC News]

WCC condemns terror attacks in Sri Lanka, calls for end to violence

Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC

Easter Sunday statement from the World Council of Churches:

With deep shock and sorrow on this Easter Sunday the World Council of Churches (WCC) expresses its solidarity with the churches and people of Sri Lanka following the news of the bombings of churches and hotels which have claimed a reported 200 lives and injured many more.

WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit said, “While we still await information regarding the perpetrators and their motives, we strongly condemn these attacks on people gathered at worship and on tourists visiting Sri Lanka, and offer our heartfelt prayers for the victims and condolences to all those who have lost loved ones in these appalling acts of violence.”

Tveit added: “As a global fellowship of churches, we stand in special solidarity with the Christians of Sri Lanka who have been attacked in this vicious way while celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the pivotal moment in the faith journey for all Christians.”

Tveit said also, “The targeting of churches in this manner is an attack on religious peace and harmony and on the social and cultural fabric of the nation, which has long struggled to uphold principles of religious harmony and diversity.”

One of the targets of these attacks was the community of St Anthony’s Church, Kochikade, a national shrine held in deep respect and visited by people of many faiths.

Tveit said, “Such acts of violence undermine the sanctity of life and constitute a sacrilege in many senses. Even as we cry out against this sacrilege, we resolutely affirm that violence must not beget violence. In the spirit of the love of Christ, on this Easter Day, we hold fast to the belief that violence, hatred and death will not have the last word.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our member churches of the WCC’s global fellowship, our ecumenical partners of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Government of the Republic of Sri Lanka which has rightly called upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong and is taking steps to contain this situation.”

Tveit concluded: “A fitting tribute to the memories of those who lost their lives in sacred spaces of peace and refuge is for us all to live out the difficult task of demonstrating that the power of peace and love are far greater than the power of violence.

Jesus Christ our risen Lord says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)”

“May these words become all the more true to those who cope with the aftermath of these attacks. May they offer to all of us hope and healing.”

Condemning the attacks the Anglican Bishop of Colombo the Rt Rev. Dhiloraj Canagasabey, a member of the WCC's Central Committee said, "The Church of Ceylon unreservedly condemns these cowardly and cruel acts of terrorism and conveys our deep condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and have been hurt. We wish all those who have been injured full recovery. We pray for them and their families that God’s comforting presence will continue to be with them through this tragic experience.”

Calling for a thorough investigation into the these incidents to bring the perpetrators to justice, the bishop appealed to the government of Sri Lanka, "to ensure the safety of places of religious worship and to prevent any individuals or group from taking the law into their hands or provoking acts of intimidation or violence against any community or group." [WCC News]

Statement by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, the Rt Revd Ken Good, following the murder of Lyra McKee

Bishop Ken Good

The following is a statement by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, the Rt Revd Ken Good, following the murder of journalist Lyra McKee:

“I am outraged at last night’s murder of the 29-year-old journalist, Lyra McKee, in Derry-Londonderry. My first thoughts, today, are with her partner, her family and friends. I sympathise with them in their heart-breaking loss and assure them that their pain is being felt right across our community.

“Sadly, though, Lyra’s death, while needless, was not entirely unforeseeable.

“Only last January, after the bomb attack on the city’s courthouse, I said that the perpetrators had shown a callous disregard for people’s lives. On that occasion a group of young people were lucky to escape unscathed.

“Sadly, the outcome that I feared then – if such reckless attacks were to continue – was realised last night, and Lyra McKee, a talented young journalist, paid the ultimate price.

“The people responsible for her murder – the individual who pulled the trigger and the leaders who sanctioned the attack – have this young woman’s blood on their hands. They claim to be liberators of the community. In reality, they are its oppressors.

“Three months ago, I suggested there were only two possible explanations for the recklessness of the Bishop Street bombers. They either didn’t think about the potential consequences or they didn’t care. The same is true of those behind last night’s murderous attack. It beggars belief that anyone would open fire in a built-up area like Creggan, at a time when there were many people on the streets. We are fortunate that more people weren’t killed or injured.

“Today, on Good Friday, Christians remember the bleakness of Christ’s death on the cross but we look forward to the hope that Easter will bring. Today, this city – and our community – are numbed and horrified by what happened in our midst last night; we stand poised between bleakness and hope. The time has come to choose.

“I urge the people of this city to go forward with hope. I urge them to turn their backs on the men of violence, and to reject those who advocate bombing and shooting as solutions to our problems.

“I urge the individual and organisation behind last night’s attack to realise the futility of what they are doing and to end their violence. Their behaviour is in stark contrast to that of the police officers who did their utmost to save Lyra’s life last night.

“Lastly, I encourage the community to assist the PSNI with their investigation into this horrendous murder and to support the Police.” [Diocese of Derry and Raphoe Press Office]

Museum of the Moon in Limerick Cathedral

Museum of the Moon in Limerick. [Photo: Deirdre Power]

Saint Mary’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Limerick, in conjunction with Limerick City and County Council, was delighted to welcome Museum of the Moon recently. Museum of the Moon came to the city as part of Limerick St Patrick’s Festival 2019. It is a new touring artwork by artist Luke Jerram, bringing together a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound. The moon features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. Tying in with the theme of this year’s parade – ‘One Giant Leap’ – and honouring the lasting effect that the moon landing has had on the world, the Museum of the Moon was present in the Cathedral for a week, during which over 15,000 people visited Limerick’s oldest building. [Church of Ireland Press Office]

World Council of Churches condemns terror attacks on mosques in New Zealand, calls for end to violence

Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

It is with deep shock and indignation that World Council of Churches (WCC) received the news that 49 people have been killed and at least 20 were wounded in terrorist attacks at the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch and at the mosque in the suburb of Linwood in New Zealand.

Rev. Ray Coster, WCC Central Committee member from Aotearoa New Zealand said, “We share with sisters and brothers in the wider ecumenical family our pain and grief in one of New Zealand’s darkest hours and crave their prayers for the many Muslim families grieving at this time. Some of these families may be migrants or refugees. They are part of us. Many came seeking refuge and safety as Aotearoa New Zealand is perceived as a safe place. As a nation we value compassion, kindness and tolerance. What we have seen today has no place in our culture.”

Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the WCC, stated: “This terrible crime against women, men and children at the time of their prayers is an attack on all believers and an assault on the bonds of shared humanity and peaceful coexistence which unite us all. The WCC stands in solidarity with all Muslims at this time, especially the Muslims of Aotearoa New Zealand, and expresses the strongest possible condemnation of these actions and of the hateful and dangerous ideologies that stand behind them.”

Dr Tveit expressed his deep condolences to the Muslim community, and all the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, for this massacre is an attack on the whole nation and its values of inclusion and respect for all its citizens. He added: “We pray that all the communities of Aotearoa New Zealand will come together to support those who have suffered so dreadfully and to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to the safety and flourishing of all its people”.

He concluded: “At this time the WCC reiterates its long-standing commitment to dialogue and harmony with the Muslim communities of the world. We affirm to all our Muslim friends and partners that we utterly reject such actions and call on all Christian people to follow in the way of Jesus Christ by seeking to live in peace and respect with all our neighbours, and especially committing ourselves to the protection of vulnerable minorities.” [WCC News]

WCC member churches join 'End Violence in Schools' campaign

Photo: Georgina Goodwin/WCC

World Council of Churches (WCC) member churches across the globe are participating in a campaign to end violence in schools, an effort that is part of a larger partnership, called “Churches’ Commitments to Children,” between the WCC and UNICEF.

The #ENDviolence campaign resulted from a September 2018 report, “An Everyday Lesson: #ENDviolence in Schools,” showing that half of the world’s teenagers experience peer violence in and around school.

UNICEF also launched an online poll aimed at 13 to 24-year-olds that gave young people the option to share their views online. Those views helped shape an #ENDviolence Youth Manifesto, completed in December 2018, which will be delivered to education ministers and other decision-makers at critical milestones throughout 2019.

WCC member churches in Mozambique, Germany, Jamaica, South India, Philippines, Nigeria, Uruguay, South Africa, Chile, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo participated in the online poll as well as in workshops with youth that helped contribute their reflections to the manifesto.

One million young people responded to the global poll, and 69% of them said that they had been afraid of violence in or around their school. In the responses, 24,000 youth provided comments emphasizing the need to take students’ concerns seriously and recommending ways to make schools safer.

Church-run schools make up a large percentage of educational institutions worldwide. The WCC also held a workshop, “Ending Violence in and Through Schools,” on 21 November 2018 in Geneva as part of a World Children’s Day celebration. [WCC News]